Holland's hopes of emerging from the World Cup's so-called 'Group of Death' have been hit by injuries to three key players.

The Dutch, who drew 1-1 with fellow qualifiers Australia in a bruising encounter in Rotterdam, could be without Ajax midfielder Wesley Sneijder for at least their opening Group C clash with Serbia and Montenegro after suffering a "serious" ankle injury.

Veteran midfielder Phillip Cocu and full-back Giovanni van Bronckhorst also suffered knocks.